by Francis Ray
Sophia jumped again. “Ah, Max. This is Albert Cummings, our next-door neighbor.”
The men shook hands. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your game. I just returned after an extended trip abroad and was looking the place over outside when I saw you playing,” Albert explained.
“You didn’t interrupt. It’s nice to meet a neighbor,” Max said. “No wonder I didn’t see a car.”
Albert’s lips twitched. “And you wanted to check me out. I assure you, my intentions weren’t sinister.”
“Of course not,” Sophia said, a bit put out with her favorite nephew and not shy about showing it.
Max said to Albert in an aside, “If I were thirty years younger, I’d be in big trouble.”
“You still might be,” Sophia said. A man hadn’t flirted with her in—never.
Gina and the children joined them. “Professor Cummings?”
A pleased smile spread across Albert’s face. “Gina Malone. It’s good seeing you. How have you been?”
“Fine.” Gina introduced her children. “You look well.”
“Thank you.” Albert glanced at Sophia, then Max. “I won’t keep you.”
“If you have time, why don’t you join us for a glass of strawberry tea slush, Journey’s End’s signature drink?”
“Journey’s End?” A faint line radiated across his brow.
Max inclined his head toward the Victorian. “My bed-and-breakfast.”
“It’s charming enough for one,” Albert said. “I’m thankful you rescued the place. Although the house had been in the same family for three generations, when the previous owners moved into a retirement home their children decided to sell. Hopefully, you’ll start a new tradition.”
Sadness touched Max’s features for an instant, and Sophia knew he was thinking about Sharon. Then he glanced at Gina and the shadow disappeared. “I’m going to try. How about that tea? Of course, your wife is invited as well.”
“I’m not married,” Albert said. “Thank you; I would like to join you.”
You’re forgiven, Max. “Albert, I’d love to hear about your travels. I was in Paris ten years ago.”
Albert took her arm. “The City of Lights is still beautiful. Like all beautiful things age enhances.”
Sophia sighed inside. Max was definitely forgiven.
“Sophia, I think you have an admirer,” Gina said as she helped Sophia clean up the kitchen. Albert had stayed for dinner and just left. Max and the children were in the study.
“I hope so.” Sophia paused in drying a glass serving dish that had held lime jerked pork chops. “He’s so good-looking and charming. And look at me, tall and plain.”
“Good men, the kind that stick, look beyond what’s on the outside,” Gina said with feeling. “I admit I’m not the greatest judge of a man’s character, but if Max thought Albert was trying to run a game, he wouldn’t have invited him for dinner again.” Sophia didn’t have to know that Gina had seen the longing way Sophia looked at Albert and thought to help her out the way she had helped Gina.
Sophia placed the dish in the cabinet. “Max is a good judge of character. It’s just that I waited so long for a man to smile at me the way Albert did this afternoon. I’m afraid I might turn out to be one of those desperate women people pity.”
“You might also find something you’ve dreamed of for so long.” Gina placed the dishcloth over the faucet. “It’s scary taking steps when you can’t see where your foot is going to land. Trust is hard, but some risks are worth taking.”
“But what would he want with me when he can be choosey?” Sophia asked, real fear in her voice.
“Only Albert can answer that question.” Gina had asked herself the same question about Max. “I don’t know why some people click and others don’t. I just know it happens. As I said, it’s scary stepping out on trust, but I’m finding the rewards far outweigh the risks.”
Sophia looked at Gina a long time. “You’ve grown so much.”
“I pray I have. I’d still be floundering if it wasn’t for Max. Gabrielle still worries me, but we’re getting there, I think. For some of us, this life’s journey isn’t a smooth one.”
“The pupil becomes the teacher.” Sophia nodded. “Great rewards sometimes require great risks.”
“Exactly,” Gina said. “This is our time, Sophia. We have to seize the moment or we’ll regret it for the rest of our lives.”
“Max.”
“Max,” Gina said. “If you tell him, I’ll never cook another meal for you.”
Sophia held up both hands. “You really went for the jugular. My lips are sealed.”
“Until Albert unseals them,” Gina said, then pressed her hands over her lips, giggling. “Sophia, I’m sorry. It just slipped out.”
“You didn’t say anything I wasn’t thinking.” Sophia’s eyes narrowed. “He’d better not turn into a frog or I’m driving nonstop to New Orleans for a voodoo doll to put a nasty hex on him.”
“You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
Sophia hooked her arm through Gina’s and started from the kitchen. “My motto has always been ‘don’t get mad; get even.’ ”
Gina thought for a moment. “If the children’s father doesn’t get his act together, mind if I ride shotgun?”
“Glad for the company.”
Ever since Saturday night, Alec hadn’t been able to stop thinking of what Celeste had gone through. He wanted to kick his butt for all the times he had carelessly thought of her not having any serious problems in her life. She had, and he’d forever be thankful to God that her family had helped her conquer her demons.
Every time Alec thought of her stashing sleeping pills, his stomach churned. He’d called her twice on Sunday just to hear her voice, had piddled around Maureen’s kitchen until he saw Celeste Monday morning.
She’d taken one look at him, his eyes anxious, and palmed his face. “I’m fine, and we both have work to do.”
He knew that logically, but he couldn’t help checking on her later in the day. He’d used the excuse that he’d lost the names of the helpers she’d suggested. She’d called them herself and arranged for both to come by later that day.
“Anything else?” she asked, a smile tugging her lips.
“I guess not.”
“Good. Traci and Ryan are coming by tomorrow and I want to have the curtains hung by then.”
He looked past her to the ladder. “I could stay—”
Celeste pushed him out the bedroom door. “You still have to finish the roof and railing.”
“I’ve decided not to brick the gazebo. Instead I’m going to match the wood shingles on the roof of the main house. The unfinished cedar will age and blend in naturally,” he told her. “It will have accent lighting, so Maureen and Simon can entertain at night if they want.”
She folded her arms. “You decided to take my advice.”
He shrugged. “You are an interior designer.”
“So let me get back to work. Good-bye, Alec.” She closed the door.
He’d gone back outside to wait for the men she’d called. With only a week left, he needed all the help he could get. And when the time came, he’d return to Myrtle Beach.
As he opened the terrace doors and put on his shoes, he knew he’d leave a part of himself behind as well because he’d leave Celeste.
. . .
Celeste threaded the lush silk onto the rod, trying to keep her mind on what she was doing and not on Alec. His concern for her, his need to ensure she was all right, touched her. Yet concern wasn’t love.
“You all right?” Willie asked.
“Getting there,” Celeste told Willie, who worked on the other curtain. They had a total of eight to put up.
“He’s tougher to get through than I thought,” Celeste’s assistant commented. “But the looks he gives you are hot enough to start a forest fire.”
Celeste worked her shoulders, trying, failing, to push away the memory of his hot kiss, his feverish hands on her. He’
d held her so tenderly Saturday night, done his best to distract her, yet he hadn’t changed his mind about their relationship. Friends, never lovers. She’d kept it light and playful this morning, figuring that would help both of them get through the day.
“Daylight is burning.”
Giving herself a shake, Celeste continued threading the material on the two-inch wooden rod. Her heart had chosen. Thus far, it didn’t appear as if it had chosen well.
“Anyone for ice cream?” Max asked, rising to his feet in the dining room of Journey’s End Tuesday night.
“Me! Me!” Ashton said, practically jumping out of his chair.
“I guess I wouldn’t mind,” Gabrielle said, coming to her feet.
Gina followed suit. “Only if it’s lemon custard.”
“You got it.” Max pulled Gina’s chair back, then shoved it beneath the table. “How about you, Aunt Sophia? Albert?”
“No, thank you,” Sophia said. Being alone with Albert was worth missing a banana split.
Albert, who had come to his feet when Gina stood, smiled. “No, thank you. I’ll stay and keep Sophia company.”
Max took Gina’s arm. “We’re off. If you change your mind, I have my cell.”
Sophia waved them away, silently thanking Gina. Sophia hadn’t missed the little nudge she’d given Max shortly before he made his announcement.
Albert retook his seat as Gina left the room. “That was a wonderful meal.”
“Gina cooked everything.” Sophia casually picked up her coffee cup. “I’m learning to cook, thanks to Gina, but I have a long way to go.”
Albert lifted a brow. “Why learn now?”
Fair question. “Gina made it look so easy, plus I like helping Max, and she has her own travel business to run.”
“I might need her myself.” Albert sipped his coffee. “I’m leaving for Egypt Sunday, but there are several other trips I want to take.”
Sophia didn’t know which disturbed her more, Albert not commenting on her inability to cook or his upcoming trip. “You don’t think it’s odd that a Southern woman my age can’t cook?”
The corners of his beautiful brown eyes crinkled. “I have two younger, very different sisters. I learned not to compare people. I don’t play sports, don’t particularly like watching them. However, I could play chess for hours.”
“I haven’t played chess in years.”
“Then we’ll have to remedy that, and soon.”
Sophia smiled across the table at Albert, wondering if she was being foolish to hope that finally it was her turn to find that special someone.
“If Albert hurts her, I’ll break his neck,” Max growled, his ice-cream cone forgotten as he and Gina walked side by side near the pier, the children in front.
Gina bumped him playfully with her shoulder. “She wants this chance, Max.”
He slanted Gina a look. “I know, but she has no experience.”
“With a good man, it doesn’t matter.” Catching his hand, she brought the cone nearer, then swirled her tongue around his dripping vanilla ice cream.
Max stared down at her, his eyes narrowing; then his tongue slowly followed. Heat burst through Gina. “Saturday night can’t get here fast enough for me.”
“Me, either,” she replied breathlessly, wondering what Max tasted like, positive she’d find out.
EIGHTEEN
Wednesday afternoon, Ryan and Traci couldn’t say enough about the redesign of the master suite. Usually Celeste soaked up the accolades like a sponge. Not today. The reason wasn’t lost on her.
By tomorrow afternoon, she’d have no reason to be here. And when that happened Alec would be lost to her.
Her arms wrapped around herself, she stared out the window of the suite. Through the trees, she caught glimpses of the wood shingle roof, the cupola of the gazebo. Alec was so close yet so far away. She’d finally come to the conclusion that she couldn’t push, drag, or manipulate him into giving them a chance. The decision had to be his, freely given.
Yet the thought of never being in his arms again, never tasting his mouth again, never feeling the erratic beat of his heart, saddened her as nothing else could.
She placed her hand on the window. “Alec.”
“Celeste.”
She whirled and he was there, gorgeous, devastatingly male, his eyes troubled. “I didn’t hear you.”
He took a hesitant step inside the room. “Ryan and Traci came by to see the gazebo.”
She smiled when she wanted to weep. “You don’t have to tell me how much they liked it.”
“You haven’t seen it in a while.”
“I can see the cupola, the shingled top,” she said playfully, wishing Willie would return from getting a bottle of water.
His hands clenched and unclenched. He glanced around the room. “You did a good job here. It’s beautiful, just like Ryan and Traci said.”
“Thank you.”
“I— They said you’d planned on finishing up tomorrow.”
She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Yes. Simon and Maureen arrive back Saturday evening. Traci and Ryan have planned a party for them at their house.”
“Are you going?”
She wanted to believe she heard longing in his voice. “She invited me, but I thought I’d let Maureen and Simon see the suite for the first time by themselves. I’m babysitting later.”
He slowly nodded. “So, after tomorrow, we won’t see each other?”
“Probably not.” The words almost stuck in her throat.
His hand shoved through his silky black hair. She’d never get to do that for him. “I— If I don’t see you, take care of yourself.”
“You do the same.” They stared across the short distance separating them, neither aware of how to close the space.
He turned, looked over his shoulder as if he needed one last glimpse of her to carry with him always, then continued out the room.
Celeste wasn’t aware she was crying until she felt the moisture on her cheeks. “Good-bye, Alec.”
Sophia answered the door Wednesday afternoon and tried with all her might not to sigh with relief, grin like a fool. She’d been so afraid that Albert wouldn’t come back. “Albert, what a pleasant surprise. Please come in.”
“Hello, Sophia.” Albert stepped into the foyer. “I hope you’ll forgive my bad manners for dropping by twice without calling.”
“Of course. We’re neighbors.” Sophia waved Albert to a seat in the living room, glad the beautiful new curtains were hung, wondering if he’d hinted for her phone number.
Albert waited until she sat on the sofa, then sat beside her. She jumped up almost immediately. “I’m sorry. Would you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee?”
“No, thank you. Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
Sophia sat down. “Of course.”
“I have tickets for the opening night of the symphony orchestra Saturday night and would be honored if you’d go with me.”
She blinked, stared at the handsome man inches from her. Her heart raced. Her stomach felt hollow. Did she need a voodoo doll or dare she hope? She sat up straighter, squared her shoulders. “Albert, I’m flattered more than you can know, but I have to ask, why me?” Sophia said, refusing to lower her gaze.
His brows drew together. “The question should be, why not you?”
She shook her head, her pulse skittering as he took her hands in his. The skin wasn’t as tight as she’d wished, but thank goodness it wasn’t dry and ashy. “That’s not an answer.”
His gaze narrowed on her face, as if trying to come up with an explanation she’d understand. She could easily imagine him doing the same thing in the classroom. “Intelligence can be just as attractive as outer beauty.”
Her heart clenched. She wanted to tuck her head, but she had asked for this.
His hands moved to her shoulders, gently shaking them. “Stop trying to analyze. Forget your psychology courses. Some-times things just aren’t logical. You just have t
o go with your gut.”
Just like Gina had said, but . . . “I don’t want to call you a liar, but what you’re saying is hard to believe. I have three beautiful sisters. You saw Max, and then there is me. I’m plain and undatable.”
His observant eyes narrowed. “You’re a woman of substance. Have you ever tried to have a conversation with a person who didn’t get what you were trying to say?”
“Yes, but—”
“Do you know how exhilarating it is to not have to explain what you said, or how frustrating to quote a verse from a beloved poem and see the blank look?” he asked. “You get it.”
She wanted to believe. “But how can you know I’ll understand or be familiar with the poem?”
His hands on her shoulders gentled. “Sophia, my dear. Sometimes you just know.”
It seemed she wouldn’t be driving to New Orleans after all. “I’d be delighted.”
“Good. I was hoping you’d want to share my last night with me before I leave.” He stood, bringing her with him. “Would you prefer to have dinner before or after?”
“Dinner?”
“The symphony starts at seven,” he told her. “I wasn’t sure if you preferred to eat late or early.”
“Late,” she said. There was no way she wasn’t going to get the full effect of this date, and that meant dining late.
“I’ll pick you up at six thirty.” He squeezed her hands. “Now I must go. I’m meeting some colleagues for an early dinner or I would have liked to have stayed.”
Oh, my. “I would have liked that.”
“Me, too.”
They stood, inches apart, staring at each other for several seconds before Sophia reluctantly withdrew her hand. “I’ll see you to the door.”
“Until Saturday.”
“Until Saturday.”
Grinning, Sophia watched Albert get into a Volkswagen Bug and drive away. Retrieving her purse and car keys, she went outside where Max, Gina, and two men were staking out the garden beds. “Max, I’m going shopping.”
Max pushed to his feet, pulling off his work gloves and shoving them into the back pocket of his jeans. “I guess you accepted Albert’s invitation.”
